The American Red Cross (ARC) and the National Transportation Board
Initiate a Partnership with National Chaplain Organizations
December 14, 1998

In the aftermath of a major transportation accident meeting the spiritual needs of family members is absolutely critical. Providing for the range of religious/spiritual needs of families from various cultural backgrounds requires a comprehensive and sensitive approach.

Over the past few months, Jane Morgan, ARC Disaster Mental Health Services, and Sharon Bryson, Office of Family Affairs, National Transportation Safety Board, have met with leaders of the Association of Professional Chaplains, the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education and the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. In addition, Ms. Bryson had met earlier with the International Association of Civil Aviation Chaplains.

The ARC is the non-profit organization designated to be responsible for the victim support task of Family Care and Mental Health. As part of this responsibility, the ARC is in the process of establishing a Statement of Understanding (SOU) between several national Chaplain organizations. These organizations, which represent certified Chaplains, will be asked by the ARC to respond to an accident as a part of their team to provide guidance and expertise on issues pertaining to the spiritual needs of families. The chaplains will work with spiritual leaders in the local community to insure that appropriate services are delivered, such as planning for memorial services; providing assistance to the medical examiner; briefing local spiritual leaders about the uniqueness of aviation disasters; and assisting local, state and federal response personnel on issues pertaining to religion and spirituality.

These series of meetings have proven to be very helpful to meet the objective of providing a more coordinated response to any future major aviation accident. Additional meetings and discussions will include representatives from several other national organizations in an effort to be certain that everyone’s spiritual needs are met in a caring and responsive manner.

For further information contact Sharon Bryson at (202) 314-6188.